Trooper Katherine Bradacs and Tracie Goodwin and their attorney, John Nichols, filed a lawsuit in US District Court on Aug. 28. The suit challenges the Palmetto State’s Defense of Marriage Law and a 2007 amendment to the state constitution. They both ban same sex marriage and recognition of those marriages performed outside the state. “By defining marriage in this way, South Carolina discriminates on the basis of sex,” said the suit. “The Supreme Court has made clear that perpetuation of traditional gender roles is not a legitimate government interest.” The suit goes even further, saying the state’s laws on same-sex marriage fail “any level of constitutional scrutiny.”

More and more of these fights are now moving into red states and southern states. It will be fascinating to see how this all plays out, especially in the courtrooms in these conservative states.